Music Dispatch: J-Pop Metal Band Babymetal Kick Butt on “Karate”

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Girls can scream, too. J-pop metal band Babymetal is gearing up to release their sophomore album and lead single “Karate” totally shows why they’re tougher than you. Back in America, Obama and Demi Lovato honored Ray Charles at a White House dinner, someone launched an edible tortilla record series, the first episode of David Bowie Blackstar miniseries aired, and Chance the Rapper performed on Kimmel with Tinashe.

Female-fronted band Babymetal is nothing to joke about. The J-pop metal act hails from Japan and sees Suzuka Nakamoto as “Su-metal”, Yui Mizuno as “Yuimetal”, and Moa Kikuchi as “Moametal” kick, punch, and jump their way through a series of intense songs. Often called an “idol” band, it aims to fuse together metal and idol genres. On April 1st, the band will release their sophomore album, Metal Resistance, and you can stream the lead single in all of it’s kick-butt fury, “Karate,” now via Spotify.

Barack Obama has gotten to give many “In Performance” events during his eight-year-long presidency. His final event celebrated the “singular sound” of the one and only Ray Charles. At the event, everyone from Usher to Demi Lovato gave performances honoring the musician. Obama gave a touching intro talking about Charles’ remarkable life, struggles, and endless accomplishments. The entire show is available to stream above, though it’s worth noting it doesn’t actually start until 1:25:46 in. [Rolling Stone]

first in a series of edible sounds. this one a tortilla record. playable on normal hifi. unlikely to be delicious. pic.twitter.com/0O1tnhTEiz

Vinyl is so overrated. It’s all about tortillas now. British producer Matthew Herbert, the guy who made music from a pig’s life cycle and bullets hitting a pie, is back with another project: Edible Sounds. His first release, a tortilla wrap to be spun at 33 RPM, is limited to 12 copies. Place your bets now on how many of those get eaten or, worse, grow mold. [Pitchfork]

InstaMiniSeries is a channel that creates episodes of mini TV-like series using Instagram videos. Before passing away, David Bowie gave the program permission to use Blackstar as content for visual interpretations of its tracks. On Thursday night, the first episode for UNBOUND: A ★ InstaMiniSeries aired. In it, Rookie founder Tavi Gevinson, executive producer Nikki Borges, and others interpret his work with evocative images and intense moods. Fitting, given Bowie was such a character himself. [Pitchfork]

From Kanye West to his little brother, Chance the Rapper has had a ton of great collaborations already this year. The Chicago rapper took to the stage at Jimmy Kimmel Live! this Thursday to perform yet another: his collaborative single “All My Friends” with Tinashe. The two both showed up to rap it live, boincing over a catchy R&B beat. It’s the perfect song to guide you into this weekend with a smile on your face. [Rolling Stone]

Have a good weekend! See you back here on Monday for another Music Dispatch!